Tauranga Airport and Authority moments in history

See also: Tauranga Airport (Place) and Tauranga Aero Club (Organisation)

1936: Airfield established after land was purchased from local Māori owners around the Whareroa harbour front, using funds raised via Tauranga District Council contribution. Bay of Plenty Times, 26 February 1936, Page 3; Bay of Plenty Times, 15 October 1936, Page 3; Bay of Plenty Times, 21 November 1936, Page 3; Bay of Plenty Times, 22 December 1936, Page 3.

1937: Construction of the Tauranga Aerodrome begun by the Public Works Department, including access roads, construction of a wharf,  and preparation on 59 acres. Butler and Carroll Ltd (based in Hamilton) were contracted to use a Crawler tractor and scraper to move 50,000 cubic yards of spoil.

1938:

• early 1938 first section of construction completed.
• Installation of radio aerial masts and radio aids.

1939:

• 14 January official opening of the aerodrome.
• Tauranga Borough Council appointed a caretaker. The Public Works Department requested supplies for the caretaker to 'keep down the rabbit population'.
• Union Airways Ltd operated the first passenger service with a 'multi-engined 12 seater De Haviland aircraft'. The Bay of Plenty Times were the Tauranga agents. To access their flight passengers travelled on Faulkners Ferry to the aerodrome wharf, then taxi to the aerodrome.
• February: Cabinet approved second stage of the aerodrome development. Butler and Carroll moved 180,000 cubic yards of spoil.

1940: On 4 April the Crown took a further 214 acres, 2 roods, 30 perches (214.69 acres) of Whareroa under the public works legislation.

1939-1945: During WWII Tauranga Aerodrome became the Royal New Zealand Air Force Central Flying School. Buildings erected by the Public Works Department included: hangars, mess and ablution blocks, dental and medical blocks, and oil stores.

1945: after the end of WWII the Ministry of Works became responsible for aerodrome maintenance.

1946: Scheduled passenger services commenced.

1962: Tauranga Airport Committee took over maintenance, administered by Tauranga City Council.

1964: Airport bird hazard discussed : Civil Aviation would like to see tip moved. House(s) moved from runway site. Bay of Plenty Times, Saturday 4 July 1964, Page 5.

          See Photo gca-6526 of Miles' homestead being moved by Frank Bear Ltd (Mount Maunganui).

1965:

• Mr G.A. Walsh, MP, speaking at the Tauranga branch of the National Party AGM said that 'by this time next year the proposed sealed runway at Tauranga Airport should be well underway.'  The Tauranga Airport project would cost in the vicinity of £380,000 because of modifications to the original scheme which was estimated at £160,000. Bay of Plenty Times, 21 April 1965.
• Tauranga airport terminal plan approved by authority. Bay of Plenty Times, 11 September 1965, p. 1.
• Airport loan approved. For for sealed runway, by Treasury,  says Tauranga mayor. Bay of Plenty Times, 25 September 1965, p. 1.
• Other airport sites to be investigated. Bay of Plenty Times, 1 October 1965, p. 1.
• Minimum disruption with water main shift. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 October 1965.
• No justification for moving existing airport. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 October 1965.
• DCA assurance given on airport runway. Bay of Plenty Times, 28 October 1965.
• Agreement should be signed soon. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 November  1965.

1966:

• Construction of main runway, see 1966 - Gifford-Cross Photographic Series
• Simultaneous completion of works unlikely 1966. Bay of Plenty Times, 22 March 1966.
• Airport activities prior to closedown. Bay of Plenty Times, 16 April 1966.
• Shape of things to come at Tauranga district airport and airport work puts rubbish dump "out of bounds". Bay of Plenty Times, 19 April 1966, p. 1.
• Work on runway 1966. Bay of Plenty Times, 18 June 1966.

1968:

• April opening of runway and temporary passenger terminal at Tauranga Airport.
• Opening of airport drew big crowd. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 April 1968, p. 1, 7.

1970:

• Control tower was hard pressed to cope. Night-flying workload at airport. Bay of Plenty Times, 20 March 1970.
• Airports usable length reduced - superintendent. Bay of Plenty Times, 5 October 1970.

1971: Aerodrome work estimate of $396,000. Bay of Plenty Times, 31 March 1971.

1975:

• Airport land for jumping. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 August 1975.
• Scheme for airport revealed. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 August 1975.
• New tower in use. Bay of Plenty Times, 28 November 1975.

1984: Annual fee plan for airport use. 14 December 1984, p. 4.

1987: First sections for lease by Christmas. Mount News, 7 October 1987 [Ams 487/6, Scrapbook 6, p. 17].

1988:

• Subdivision gets off the ground. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 January 1988 [Ams 487/6, Scrapbook 6, p. 27].
• Airport Authority to buy new rescue trailer. Bay of Plenty Times, 26 February 1988 [Ams 487/6, Scrapbook 6, p. 30].
• Airport landing feeds put aviation at risk. Bay of Plenty Times, 26 February 1988 [Ams 487/6, Scrapbook 6, p. 30].

1995:

• Airport pitches to house war planes. Bay of Plenty Times, 6 May 1995.
• Pumice risks strafes plan. Port proposal to dispose of stormwater on airport land rejected on safety grounds. Bay of Plenty Times, 6 May 1995.
• The wind beneath their wings. Feature article on local women who have gained their pilot's licence. Bay of Plenty Times, 18 November 1995.
• Trees to outline runway entrance. Tree planting and hedge designs to create illusion of runway. Bay of Plenty Times, 9 December 1995.

1997:

• Māori land claim.
• Lift off for the airport? Tauranga District Citizen, February 1997, Number 3.
• Plane noise an airport priority. Bay of Plenty Times, 1 March 1997.
• Runway plan still waits on Government. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 March 1997.
• Commercial rentals underpinning airport upgrade. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 March 1997.
• Golf Club rezoning sought for airport. Bay of Plenty Times, 10 March 1997.
• Airport business not affected by claim. Bay of Plenty Times, 12 July 1997.

1998:

• Subdivision set for take off. Commerical subdivision planned for corner of airport land. Bay of Plenty Times, 26 June 1998.
• Diverted planes put pressure on airport. Bay of Plenty Times, 29 August 1998.

1999:

• Airport plan to reopen controversy. Bay of Plenty Times, 10 February 1999.
• Challenges ahead for tree hit Golf Club. Bay of Plenty Times, 10 February 1999.
• Photograph re extension. Citizen, March 1999, 15(3).
• Airport runway has final checkup. Bay of Plenty Times, 3 April 1999.
• Extension timely says Mayor. Bay of Plenty Times, 13 April 1999.
• Airport Strategic Plan. Photographs with captions, Mayor and Councillors tour airport facilities and meet private operators at airport. Part of strategic plan process. Citizen, July 1999.
• Big issues face new Airport Board. Lists members. Citizen, August 1999.
• Flights from Tauranga in jeopardy. Re K2000 / biosecurity issues. New Zealand Herald, 23 August 1999.

2013: Deed of settlement signed 14 December, between the Crown and Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngā Pōtiki, regarding historical Treaty of Waitangi claims. See 2016 timeline entry. 

2016: Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngā Pōtiki Claims Settlement Bill section 8(7) "During the 20th century, infrastructure projects underpinning the development of Tauranga were constructed on land compulsorily acquired from Ngāi Te Rangi. These projects included the airport and port..." and section 9(15) "The Crown acknowledges that public works have had enduring negative effects on the lands, resources, and cultural identity of Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngā Pōtiki, including—" (c) "the development of the port and airport"